Heights 1st Saturday Artist Reception "New Orleans Through the Viewfinder" 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
The old meets the new in local photographer Elaine Mesker-Garcia's nostalgic images of New Orleans. Using a vintage camera, the city is captured in a way you haven't seen before. Opening reception 1-5pm. Inside Heights Modern Home at 540 W. 19th Street next to the First Saturday Arts Market.
Next door at Heights Modern Home.
New Orleans Through the Viewfinder
About the Series
“Through the Viewfinder” photography or TTV is defined as taking a picture of any subject through the viewfinder of a camera (typically a vintage camera) with another camera (typically a modern digital SLR camera). This particular series was shot in or near the New Orleans French Quarter during a trip in August 2009. I shot through a vintage Argoflex 75 camera (made 1949-58) camera and through the use of a contraption taped on top of my Canon DSLR camera I took the photograph. The resulting digital image shows the scratches, dust and inherent lens distortion resulting from the vintage lens. These effects are NOT produced in PhotoShop. Colors and contrast are the only things digitally enhanced and even that is manipulated to a limited degree.
As a result of these distortions, scratches and dust, the images produced evoke a sense of nostalgia that is not often seen in current digital photography. It takes a different approach to the subject to capture an effective TTV image and I am thoroughly enjoying the challenge. I hope you enjoy the results!
About the Artist
Elaine is a native Houstonian born to Cuban parents. She attended Texas A&M University in College Station where she received a B.A. in International Studies, Latin American Studies. In addition to photography, Elaine loves social media, traveling, salsa dancing and reading. She is also fluent in Spanish, is married and is mom to two adorable but mischievous dogs.
Artist Statement
“I have loved taking photographs since I was a child. From the toy camera I received as a small child to the digital SLR I now use and all the cameras in between, framing an image through the viewfinder has always made me happy.
The basis for my love of photography has always been the belief that each photograph is a memory - a reminder of a particular place and a certain time. Whether it is a flower in my backyard or a landmark in a foreign destination, each image represents part of my past, my history.
To see more of Elaine’s photography, visit http://www.emgimages.com
